Nicolet Crane Barge Fire Suppression

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY – This notice does not constitute a solicitation announcement or restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach and NO AWARD will occur from this notice. NO SOLICITATION, SPECIFICATIONS, OR DRAWINGS are available for this Notice. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Invitation for Bid (IFB).

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Detroit District is seeking contractors capable of completing demolition and removal of the existing, non-compliant CO2 system and shall furnish and install a new, complete marine-grade fixed fire suppression system. The new system and installation shall include the following:

• System Design & Compliance: Provide all engineering and design drawings for a system appropriately sized for the protected spaces. The area to be protected includes the "Crew Space" (500 square feet) and the adjacent "Machinery Compartment" (500 square feet) as depicted in Figure 1: NICOLET General Arrangement (Drawing No. DP-10-62). The entire system, including its design, components, and installation, must comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 12 Standard on Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems and all applicable US Coast Guard regulations.

• Cylinder Assembly: Install five (5) new high-capacity CO2 cylinders, complete with cylinder valves and required discharge heads. The cylinders shall be mounted on a new rack or the existing rack if it meets requirements. Current rack location is on the water side of the “Crew Space” in the corner by the spud winch.

• Actuation System: The system must be capable of actuation both manually and automatically. This includes installing new control heads, nitrogen pilot cylinders, and both local and remote manual pull stations.

• Alarms and Safety: Install a time delay mechanism, pressure switches, and both audible (siren/horn) and visual (strobe light) pre-discharge warning alarms to ensure personnel safety.

• Piping and Distribution: Install all necessary piping, fittings, and discharge nozzles to ensure effective agent distribution throughout the protected space as per the approved design.

• Signage: Install all required nameplates, instructions, and safety warning signage for system operation and identification.

• Testing and Certification: Upon completion, the contractor shall perform a full functional test of the system. The contractor is responsible for providing final system certification documentation and delivering comprehensive end-user training on the system's operation and maintenance.

The contract is expected to be solicited in May 2026.

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The place of performance will be performed on the crane barge NICOLET, located in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.

DISCLAIMER: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A “REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)” TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS NOTICE IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. RESPONSES WILL NOT BE RETURNED TO THE RESPONDER. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS NOTICE DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ) OR INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) OR (REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL) RFP, IF ANY ARE ISSUED. IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED, IT WILL BE SYNOPSIZED ON THE GOVERNMENT-WIDE POINT OF ENTRY (GPE) (SAM.GOV). IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF POTENTIAL OFFERORS TO MONITOR THE GPE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS REQUIREMENT.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 238220 – Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning Contractors, which has a small business size standard of $19.0M. The Product Service Code (PSC) is J042 (Maintenance/Repair/Rebuild of Equipment - Fire Fighting/Rescue/Safety Equipment). Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond; however, each respondent must clearly identify the firm’s business size in the attached questionnaire. Small business firms interested in performing this work are strongly urged to respond to this notice. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions.

SOURCES SOUGHT RESPONSES: If your organization has the potential capacity and capability to perform this type of work, please complete the attached questionnaire and submit via email to Contract Specialist Joseph Russell at joseph.d.russell@usace.army.mil and Contracting Officer Matthew McDuffie at matthew.mcduffie@usace.army.mil no later than 2:00 PM Eastern Time on April 30, 2026. Please reference in the subject line "SOURCES SOUGHT Nicolet Crane Barge Fire Suppression.” All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

The contract is expected to be solicited in May 2026. All data received in response to this Sources Sought that is marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government. The Government is not committed nor obligated to pay for the information provided, and no basis for claims against the Government shall arise as a result of a response to this Sources Sought notice. RESPONDENTS WILL NOT BE CONTACTED REGARDING THEIR SUBMISSION OR INFORMATION GATHERED AS A RESULT OF THE SOURCES SOUGHT.